The 2023 Figeac has turned out beautifully, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet of blackberries and cassis mingled with notions of crushed mint, pencil shavings and violets. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and suave, it's layered and fleshy, with a deep and seamless core of fruit, animated by succulent acids that largely conceals its refined structuring tannins. It's a blend of 41% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon that attained 13.5% alcohol, rewarding the decision to pick the Cabernet Sauvignon comparatively late.

Distinctively floral in the nose, with additional nuances of cigar wrappers, mint, forest floor, and spicy red, with black fruits. The palate is even more joyous. Medium-bodied, elegant, electric, sweet, fresh, and just a touch of spiciness to waves of pure, red with black fruits that exude a gorgeous sense of purity. There are no hard edges. This is the quintessential definition of elegance. For history buffs, this is the 130th vintage under the ownership of the Manoncourt family. Drink from 2029-2060.

Fragrant floral aromatics straight off the bat, peony and violet, and a vibrant juiciness that travels through the palate. Savoury dark fruit character, with flint and textural interest, full of Figeac finesse. 130th vintage of the Manoncourt family at Figeac, and the first vintage where they knew they were Premier Grand Cru Classé A from the start of the season, as it was announced in September 2022. 130mm of rain lower than average over the growing season here, allowing a long slow harvest from September 6 to October 5, 45hl/h yield.

High-toned aromatics, purple fruit, blackcurrant, wet stones and minerality on the nose, really quite scented and alive, floral, purple flowers, and ripe black fruit with freshness too. Supple and succulent, a good plushness here, not chalky or chewy but ripe and cool at the same time. Hints of dark chocolate, liquorice, blueberry and wet stone also gives the mineral accents. Silky but this wine has an amazing texture. Cool and classic, but there’s clear ripeness too. Almost thick, but refined. High acidity, great lift and zing - tannins are present and apparent, gently expanding around the mouth. It’s more serious than usual, a touch more firm with tension but equally it's structured with a long, mouthwatering finish. This will be lovely! 3.68pH.

The density and finesse to this is terrific, offering blackberry, dark chocolate, walnut and hazelnut, as well as currant and sandalwood. Orange peel, too. Full-bodied and compact with a superb core of thick, velvet-textured tannins and a juicy finish. Extremely long. 41% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 27% cabernet sauvignon.

Reminding me of the 2019 with its overall harmony and elegance, the 2023 Château La Conseillante reveals classic Conseillante darker blue fruits, spring flowers, violets, and iris petals on the nose. This cuvée is always about finesse and elegance, and the 2023 has it in spades, with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. Based on 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc and aged 15 months in 70% new French oak with 27% one-wine barrels and 3% amphoras, this pure, seamless, ultra-classic Pomerol is already impossible to resist today yet should cruise for three decades. There are roughly 4,100 cases produced. Drink 2026-2055.

A blend of 41% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Figeac has a pH of 3.68 and it is deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out of the glass with out-going scents of black raspberries and fresh blackcurrants, opening out to reveal an undercurrent of pencil shavings, rose bud tea, iron ore, and wood smoke. The medium-bodied palate delivers a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and beautiful tension supporting the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing with a long-lingering mineral firework display.

A brilliant classic in the making the 2023 Figeac unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis and mulberry mingled with notions of iris cigar wrapper pencil shavings burning embers and spices. Medium to full-bodied rich and layered it's deep and concentrated with an enveloping core of fruit that's framed by powdery tannins and lively acids concluding with a broad atypically mineral finish. It's a blend of 41% Merlot 32% Cabernet Franc and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon that attained 13.5% alcohol.

The 2023 Figeac was cropped at 45hL/ha from September 6 until October 5 one of the longest harvest periods ever. It matured in 100% new oak as usual. My samples included the 5% vin de presse. This has a very perfumed bouquet: red fruit rather than black iris flower rather than violet light sous-bois and tobacco scents deriving from the Cabernets. The palate is medium-bodied and the Cabernets really "sing" on the entry. Black fruit mixes with graphite and light tobacco notes surging with fresh acidity and real brightness or what the French call éclat. There’s gentle grip here—classic Figeac from start to finish with a subtle marine influence toward the close. This will be a wonderful Saint-Émilion that ranks amongst the best wines of the vintage. Chapeau!

The 2023 Figeac is outrageously great. Dark, layered and explosive in the glass, the 2023 possesses mind-blowing intensity and pure power. Hints of lavender, crème de cassis, sage, menthol, spice box and pipe tobacco soar from the glass. Brisk acids and vibrant saline notes frame the close. All the elements are so artfully woven together. Absolutely nothing is out of place. Figeac is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage, The 2023 is also one of the finest wines ever made here. Merlots were picked starting September 6, while the Cabernets were harvested from September 26 to October 5, a very late finish. General Manager Frédéric Faye and his team turned out an extraordinary wine. Tasted two times.